Cleveland Browns: Still the greatest fans in the world?
By Backwoods
There was a time, long ago, when Cleveland Browns fans could claim rights to being the greatest in the world. Can they still?
While Cleveland Browns fans can certainly claim undisputed bragging-rights for the most tortured in the NFL, the “greatest fans” title is now highly debatable, by some. If the fact that the Browns still have a fanbase at all isn’t proof enough, consider this.
Whether Browns faithful have fallen dormant after years of ridicule and heartbreak, or they have jumped ship, the Dawg Pound has grown somewhat timid over the years. From flying bones, batteries, and bottles, to brown paper bags, fans have settled into a miserable existence.
Many fans have indeed gone to the darkside, being the Pittsburgh Steelers, of course. A mere 100 miles away and competitively stable, Pittsburgh has offered a crutch — known as hope — to many who simply could not bear the pain any longer.
Browns fans have endured painstaking hardships that most cannot fathom, nor tolerate, and while the transfer of allegiance is heartbreaking, it is somewhat understandable. We all want to enjoy our beloved game and for some it has been the only way to do so. Many, however, stand unbroken, and disgusted.
Fans that have drifted will soon return home to their rightful place and they will find open arms, and ridicule of course. The Browns faithful around the world will once again ignite the passion they are known for. No longer will the word victory be a painful reminder of how bad things have been. The flag will wave bright and strong, in the heart of enemy territory.
Not only are Browns faithful the kings of fans, but also have kings amongst them. Akron native and NBA superstar LeBron “King” James is a Browns fan (yes, he is a Dallas Cowboys fan also). As is WWE Hall of Famer Jerry “The King” Lawler, stemming from his days in Cleveland as a youngster. The King of rock and roll, Elvis Presley, was as well, having friends that played for the Browns. Last but certainly not least, the (non-steroid infused) king of home runs, Hank Aaron, was known to go incognito and perch himself in the Dawg Pound on game days.
How many kings can other franchises claim?
Even in the face of defeat, fans stood strong, circling the fallen kingdom. Call it a perfect season parade if you must, but know that it is Cleveland and the greatest fans in the world that separate them from those who simply cannot understand. Their strength is not by way of wins, it is by way of hope. There is no other fan base in the world that can endure what Cleveland fans have and remain as unified.
Since the last championship run in 1989, Browns fans have had the team stolen away and had to fight to get it back. These fans then watched them claim the Super Bowl title that they have longed for since the beginning of Super-Bowl-time.
In that time, fans have witnessed former coach Bill Belichick rise to infamy as one of the greatest of all time. Browns faithful have outlasted 10 head coaches, 11 regimes and have had 35 starting quarterbacks — and even seen a season go by without a single victory. Not to mention a season with a single victory. Yet somehow, the Dawg Pound remains.
Many do not recognize the claim as fans. Some even claim that they have replaced Browns fans and taken their title. They are sadly mistaken. The time is coming once more and, when the tide shifts, there will be no mistaking it. The Dawg Pound will prove to the world what it means to be who they are — the greatest fans in the world.
A symbol of unity, the Browns Backers Worldwide, have been a faithful part of the Cleveland Browns fanbase for decades. It spans across all seven continents, 14 countries and now includes over 350 chapters worldwide.
Even in the past decade of misery, the growth of the Browns Backers Worldwide signifies the strength of the “greatest fans” title, having grown from 80,000 in 2010, to well over 300,000 today.
Even those cities who already bear NFL teams have faithful Browns Backers. Per Wikipedia-Cleveland Browns
"The most prominent organization of Browns fans is the Browns Backers Worldwide (BBW). The organization has approximately 305,000 members[37] and Browns Backers clubs can be found in every major city in the United States, and in a number of military bases throughout the world, with the largest club being in Phoenix, Arizona."
Media Coverage
- There are certainly those that doubt us. Having been ranked the 26th best fanbase in the NFL. Article found – here.
- Dawgs by Nature offered a suitable response, found – here.
- In Forbes – The NFL’s best fans, a top-ten list, they left us out altogether.
- Our misery is well-documented with our number one placement atop the – Sporting News Misery index.
- Our misery is also felt worldwide as documented in – ESPN’s misery knows no border.
- I am not alone in claiming the rights to our title, as Dawg Pound Daily, Factory of Sadness, and many, many, more stand at my side.
- Dawg Pound Daily – Fandom 250: Making the case for Cleveland Browns fans as the best in the world
- Factory of Sadness – Why the Cleveland Browns have the best fans in professional sports
- Even the New York Times has recognized our loyalty.
- New York Times – Jump on the Bandwagon of a Winning Super Bowl N.F.L. Team? Not These Cleveland Browns Fans.
A truly “great fan” is not one that waits for victory to join their brothers and sisters, rather one that stands proud in the face of adversity and failure when few others will.
Next: NFL 2018: Dark horse MVP candidate for each team
You can surely wait for the victories and the droves of folks who will then claim themselves a part of the Dawg Pound. Or, you can stand up and shout it from the mountaintop (or rooftop for you city-dwellers). We are Cleveland! We are the Dawg Pound! And we are the greatest fans in the world!